Proud Union Craftsman

Can't see these being scrapped for a lousy 10 grand with all the effort and logistics it took to get them out of the yard. Those beams are probably at another job site to be used. Lot's of bridge work going on...remember..Putting America to Work.

Too bad about Dice-K. 87 on the fastball? I'd say he has maybe two more shots at getting it right this spring. If he keeps pitching like he's been, then the Sox have to move him. Maybe a West Coast team (Seattle?) takes him. I don't see the point in trying to trade Wakefield. You never know what can happen to the pitching staff and he seems content to just be a body in the bullpen so why trade him? He's probably just as effective as any fifth starter in baseball. I think trading Scutaro now is the right move. Lowrie is healthy and can play anywhere in the infield, and Iglesias may wind up being the starter just for his defense a la Alex Gonzalez. Cameron and McDonald? The Sox have some good young outfielders so they are deep in those positions. Not sure if Cameron is healthy this spring but I would say keep him for insurance.

This may be just an attempt to get Chara and the Bruins off their game. I mean, they know they have no clear cut evidence of intent to injure. But-let's just say they think they do have evidence and charges are filed...the goal is accomplished it would be a huge distraction. Typical Montreal and for that mattter Quebec-they think they should be held to a higher standard. They have no respect for the NHL as an organization, and their fans think they're the only ones that know anything about hockey.

I heard Michael Holley on WEEI today and he said that when Bryant was working as a sports writer for the Herald he would look for a racial angle to just about everything. Holley also mentioned that Bryant chastised him for not writing about racial angles or issues.

NESN should take this opportunity to can Jack Edwards and hire Dale Arnold back for hockey. Edwards is a goof. Dale knows his hockey and always called a great game. I know he has kids though maybe he doesn't want all the travel. I am so sick of Edwards, though. It was refreshing to hear former voice of the Springfield Falcons Don Orsillo call the Beanpot with Andy Brickley. I think Brickley is sick of Edwards, too.

Yeah I wonder why Pierce is not one of the options. Pierce is why they won it all in 2008. When he came back into the game after getting hurt and hit those 3's, the Celts at least held serve going to LA. Ray has hit some big shots, but didn't come up big in Game 7 in 2010 with Perkins out. Ray makes his shots and Celtics win. I'll expand a little here as well: Bird and Pierce are way better defensively. That said, I truly hope Ray makes some big shots for Boston in the playoffs this year because they really are going to need that from him to be successful.

Watch for stray cats when putting out bird seed in your feeders or, if your like me I just throw sunflower seeds on the hard snow surface around my yard near my holly and hydrangeas and maple trees. I've got 2 strays that have been coming around trying to take advantage of the birds and squirrels feeding...so far though my dog has kept them at arms length

Lot's of factors in play here as to why the fans aren't into it. First, of course, is they've had bad and I mean bad quality of hockey for a number of years now. The economy in this region has been bad for 10 years plus and that has had an affect on attendance. Sure. the "Longmeadow and suburban fans" on the whole can afford it, but I know personally of hard working parents whose kids play or even don't play hockey that can barely afford maybe to go to 2 games a season. That has an affect on "crowd morale" if you will. I mean, you go to a game, you know by the time you get home your into it for just south of $100, meanwhile your wondering if you've got enough gas money for the workweek.
Location. I've never had a problem with crime at a Falcons game, but perception is reality. All you hear is how Spfld. is getting worse. "I never drive into Spfld. for anything." How many times have you heard that? I would say just the fact that the games are in Springfield keeps probably up to 1,000 fans maybe more from ever even going to a game.
They're not the Indians. If I remember correctly, Peter Cooney took the naming rights away when he moved the team to Worcester. The new owner could not use "Indians" for a name. I believe the AHL should have stepped in at some point to allow Indians to be used, much like the NFL let the Cleveland Browns new owner to use the Browns even though Modell moved the team to Baltimore.
Finally, i wonder if anyone has thought of this: Why is nobody trying to move the team back to the Coliseum, but of course, giving the Coliseum a major upgrade. Make it a 8.000 up to say a 10,000 seat arena, but design it in a way that keeps its character. Now, no question this would be costly, but imagine if it's done right, that would be a great accomplishment. It would certainly help the Big E for non-hockey events, and the LOCATION alone would bring more fans in.

Keep both streets open. While we're at it, lets block off Blue Hills Ave so no one can cut through to or from Rte 9? How about blocking off Dana St for the same reason? Let's block off Red Gate Lane and Hills Rd so no one can cut through to North Amherst from Rte 9? How about a barrier at Sand Hill Rd and State St to eliminate a shortcut to Rte 63? Heck, lets hire a consultant to eliminate all shortcuts in Amherst.

I knew this guy was no good when I went to a breakfast after he got elected and he was one of the speakers. He was trying to be funny and referenced the "what, no envelope?" line about something. Anyway, it didn't draw very many laughs and I thought it was a cheap shot and and highly unprofessional.